Functional status and elderly Puerto Ricans.

The ability of the elderly to perform or carry-out a variety of activities that are normal for people in good physical health was measured by 18 questions: ten items about background information and eight questions pertaining to capacity to carry out activities. The capacity range established was 0 and 1. A 0 response revealed that the respondent had no difficulty and a 1 meant that she/he had difficulty at the time of the interview. The tests of significance were those of Kendall's Tau B and C, Cramer's V and Phi. The sub groups of elderly having the most limited functional status were females, urban zone elderly, the oldest old, those of a separated marital status, the never employed, and those with limited education and incomes. These findings are similar to those found in the United States, Europe and Japan.